Rally Around Reading On Capitol Hill
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Scores of physicians who provide early literacy support to their patients through Reach Out and Read met with legislators to advocate for Reach Out and Read, and public funding for childhood literacy.
The doctors were joined by Reach Out and Read coordinators and staff for the organization’s annual “Hill Day.”
In all, about 100 people representing 40 states made the trip to Washington, D.C.
In the 3rd congressional district, Reach Out and Read serves more than 20,000 children under the age of 6 and is working on a Kosciusko County expansion.
Reach Out and Read staff met with William Young in Rep. Marlin Stutzman’s office.
Hill Day came at a critical time. Federal funding for Reach Out and Read – and dozens of other educational nonprofits – is at risk, according to staff.
“There are a lot of economic uncertainties in Washington, and Reach Out and Read is working to make sure federal funding for America’s youngest children is maintained,” said Indiana Director Lisa Robertson. “This was a time for us to educate our legislators about the numerous benefits of early literacy.”
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based, national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud at regular pediatric checkups.
The model includes providing a new, age-appropriate book for each child to take home from every checkup from 6 months through 5 years.
Along with the free book for every child, doctors and nurses also provide guidance to the parents about the importance of reading aloud with their children every day.
The research proves that families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers, according to information provided.
During the hundreds of meetings scheduled for “Hill Day,” physicians and coordinators shared with legislators reading-related stories from their exam rooms, and encouraged them to champion the cause in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Doctors also offered legislators the opportunity to visit Reach Out and Read sites in their home districts.
Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Representative Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) and Representative Donald Payne (D-New Jersey) are Reach Out and Read’s leading Congressional champions.
“Funding cuts on Capitol Hill have been devastating for our program, and for the millions of families we serve,” said Reach Out and Read CEO Earl Martin Phalen. “Millions of children are arriving to school a year or two below grade level, already at an enormous disadvantage. If we want to ensure the future economic security of our nation, the strength of our workforce, and the health of our children, it is critical that we invest in closing the school readiness gap.”[[In-content Ad]]Reach Out and Read is in 160 health clinics across Indiana serving more than 190,000 children under the age of 6.
Nationwide, Reach Out and Read doctors and nurses serve more than 3.9 million children and their families annually at 4,779 pediatric practices, hospitals, clinics and health centers in all 50 states, with a focus on centers that serve low-income communities.
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Scores of physicians who provide early literacy support to their patients through Reach Out and Read met with legislators to advocate for Reach Out and Read, and public funding for childhood literacy.
The doctors were joined by Reach Out and Read coordinators and staff for the organization’s annual “Hill Day.”
In all, about 100 people representing 40 states made the trip to Washington, D.C.
In the 3rd congressional district, Reach Out and Read serves more than 20,000 children under the age of 6 and is working on a Kosciusko County expansion.
Reach Out and Read staff met with William Young in Rep. Marlin Stutzman’s office.
Hill Day came at a critical time. Federal funding for Reach Out and Read – and dozens of other educational nonprofits – is at risk, according to staff.
“There are a lot of economic uncertainties in Washington, and Reach Out and Read is working to make sure federal funding for America’s youngest children is maintained,” said Indiana Director Lisa Robertson. “This was a time for us to educate our legislators about the numerous benefits of early literacy.”
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based, national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud at regular pediatric checkups.
The model includes providing a new, age-appropriate book for each child to take home from every checkup from 6 months through 5 years.
Along with the free book for every child, doctors and nurses also provide guidance to the parents about the importance of reading aloud with their children every day.
The research proves that families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers, according to information provided.
During the hundreds of meetings scheduled for “Hill Day,” physicians and coordinators shared with legislators reading-related stories from their exam rooms, and encouraged them to champion the cause in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Doctors also offered legislators the opportunity to visit Reach Out and Read sites in their home districts.
Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Representative Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) and Representative Donald Payne (D-New Jersey) are Reach Out and Read’s leading Congressional champions.
“Funding cuts on Capitol Hill have been devastating for our program, and for the millions of families we serve,” said Reach Out and Read CEO Earl Martin Phalen. “Millions of children are arriving to school a year or two below grade level, already at an enormous disadvantage. If we want to ensure the future economic security of our nation, the strength of our workforce, and the health of our children, it is critical that we invest in closing the school readiness gap.”[[In-content Ad]]Reach Out and Read is in 160 health clinics across Indiana serving more than 190,000 children under the age of 6.
Nationwide, Reach Out and Read doctors and nurses serve more than 3.9 million children and their families annually at 4,779 pediatric practices, hospitals, clinics and health centers in all 50 states, with a focus on centers that serve low-income communities.
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